If you’ve spent any time in the Lake District, you will almost certainly have seen Herdwick sheep grazing on the high fells and in the fields down in the valleys. With their distinctive shaggy grey coats and appealing faces, they are hard to miss. You’re not likely to see them anywhere else in the UK, as 99% of our Herdwicks live in the central and western Lake District.

“Even though people are capable of making decisions in a thorough and methodical way, it appears that most of the time they don't. A growing body of research suggests that people unconsciously use simple rules of thumb or heuristics to navigate the routine complexities of modem life.” In our homes and work places that may not be a problem, but when we take that mindset out into the mountains where the variables can change so quickly, we can find ourselves in serious trouble.

Walking in the rain? Why would I want to do that? Because it can be fun and exhilarating! And if, like me, you live in an area where rain is a pretty constant feature, you often have no choice. If you have the right kit and know how to use it, you should be able to have lots of fun whilst staying warm and dry.

We’ve all had days out in the hills that haven’t gone as we expected. Sometimes that’s unavoidable, but usually, with a bit of forward planning and a willingness to be flexible, a rewarding day can be almost guaranteed.